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deBriefings CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ON RITALIN FRAUD in the period 1991 to 1994 alone. During the periods when r “Nhe law firm of Waters & Kraus takes this opportunity to CHADD received funding from Ciba/Novartis, CHADD deliber- announce the filing in Texas of a class action lawsuit enti- ately made efforts to increase the sales of Ritalin, to increase the tled "Hernandez, Plaintiff, Individually and on Behalf of all supply of methylphenidate (the generic name for Ritalin) avail- Others Similarly Situated v. Ciba Geigy Corporation, USA, able in the United States, and to reduce or eliminate laws and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Children and Adults with restrictions concerning the use of Ritalin and methylphenidate in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), and the the United States, all to the financial benefit of Ciba/Novartis. American Psychiatric Association. Dr Peter Breggin (author of Ciba/Novartis made such financial contributions with the purpose Toxic Psychiatry, The War Against Children and Talking Back to | of advertising and promoting sales of Ritalin, an internationally Prozac) is serving as a medical consultant in the case. controlled substance. Ciba/Novartis has thus repeatedly violated While this filing is a departure from Waters & Kraus's continu- Article 10 of the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic ing practice of toxic exposure and cancer cases, the pattern and Substances, 1019 UNTS 175 (1971). CHADD's activities nation- practice of improper conduct on the part of wide have led to a significant increase in the the defendants in this case rivals that of the amount of Ritalin taken by schoolchildren asbestos corporate defendants and tobacco and have directly resulted in enormous prof- companies in other cases. its to Ciba/Novartis. The suit states allegations based on fraud Parents, the school districts and other and conspiracy. From approximately 1955 . . interested parties are generally unaware that through 1995, the exclusive or primary man- Ciba/Novartis planned, use of Ritalin can cause a significant num- ufacturer and supplier of Ritalin in this coun- conspired and colluded ber of health problems and tisks, including ry was Ciba-Gei orp., iba ut not limited to the following: try Ciba-Geigy Corp., USA ("Ciba") but not limited to the foll g (Defendant). In 1996, Ciba merged with to create, develop and ¢ Cardiovascular: rapid heart beat (palpita- pander Phan eticad, Con ('Nowatie" promote the diagnosis tons taeyeardie). high ope pressure ovartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. ("Novartis F 4A ypertension), unusual heart rhythm (arry- (Defendant). Ciba/Novartis has manufac- of Attention Deficit thmia), heart attack (cardiac arrest); weed. marketedand sod Rita since | Disorder (ADD) and | * Cental Nerv Seem: afer onal Ciba/Novartis planned, conspired and Attention Deficit sion or excitement, convulsions/ colluded to create, develop and promote ivi i seizures (excessive brain stimulation), the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder drowsiness or "dopey" feeling, confu- Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit (ADH D) Ina highly sion, lack of sleep (insomnia), agita- Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) ina tion/irritation/anxiety/nervousness, highly successful effort to increase the . successful effort to hostility, unhappiness (dysphoria), increase the market for its product Ritalin. market for its product Ritalin. In addi- impaired mental abilities (cognitive tion to its actions and involvement with impairment on tests), jerky movements the creation of the ADD and ADHD (dyskinesia, tics, Tourette's syndrome), diagnoses, Ciba/Novartis took steps to nervous habits (such as picking at skin promote and dramatically increase the or pulling hair), compulsive behavior, sales of Ritalin by way of the following: depression/oversensitivity, decreased 1. Actively promoting and support- social interest, zombie-like behavior; ing the concept that a significant per- * Gastrointestinal: eating disorders centage of children suffer from a "dis- (anorexia), nausea, vomiting, stomach ease" which required narcotic treat- ache/cramps, dry mouth, constipation, ment/therapy; abnormal liver function tests; 2. Actively promoting Ritalin as the "drug of choice" to treat | * Endocrine/Metabolic: growth problems (pituitary dysfunc- children diagnosed with ADD and ADHD; tion), weight loss; 3. Actively supporting groups such as Defendant CHADD, * Other: blurred vision, headache, dizziness, rash/conjunctivitis/ both financially and with other means, so that such organizations hives, hair loss, inflammation of the skin (dermatitis), blood disor- would promote and support (as a supposed neutral party) the ever- ders (anorexia, leukoplacia), involuntary discharge of urine increasing implementation of ADD/ADHD diagnoses as well as (enuresis), fever, joint pain, unusual sweating; directly increasing Ritalin sales; ¢ Withdrawal & Rebound: sleep problems (insomnia), evening 4. Distributing misleading sales and promotional literature to crash, overactivity and irritability, worsening of ADHD-like parents, schools and other interested persons in a successful effort symptoms. to further increase the number of diagnoses and the number of In addition, it is not generally known or understood by the pub- persons prescribed Ritalin. lic that use of Ritalin will preclude an individual from ever join- Defendant CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention ing the US military, because Ritalin is classified as a Class II con- Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) has been a recipient of financial trolled substance along with other amphetamines and morphine. donations and contributions from Defendants Ciba/Novartis for Please send comments to information @ritalinfraud.com. many years. CHADD received US$748,000 from Ciba/Novartis (Source: Waters & Kraus website, www.ritalinfraud.com) Ciba/Novartis planned, conspired and colluded to create, develop and promote the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and __ Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in a highly ; successful effort to NEXUS © 15 CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ON RITALIN FRAUD increase the market for its product Ritalin. OCTOBER — NOVEMBER 2000